This is a collection of seven independent short stories depicting a variety of different characters from Ford County, Mississippi. These characters are vividly brought to life and the humid air of the Deep South can almost be felt. Some of these stories show a subtle humor even when the plot is everything but. The language reminds me of Bill Bryson’s romp through a strange country. I can almost taste the grits and black-eyed peas.
The seven stories offer a rare and unique glimpse in a rural life that has changed little through the years.
1.) Blood Drive is an account of good ol’ boys being themselves.
2.) Fetching Raymond is a story about convicts and their families coming to terms with what life has dealt them.
3.) Fish Files is a tale of how unpredictable life can really be and one phone call can truly change your life.
4.) Casino is a yarn about how sometimes people aren’t what they seem and one small or major personal event can bring out another person.
5.) Michael’s Room is a spoof about how some people are blind to the tragedies of the world around them; even those of their own making.
6.) Quiet Haven is a parody on our country’s geriatric population. How the parents and protector of today’s generation can be so easily misunderstood, mistreated and neglected.
7.) Funny Boy is a tragedy about the early days of AIDS and their unfortunate victims. Ignorance and fear play a major role in how a small rural town welcomes home one of its own.
All of these form and unrelated but highly readable general account of the bucolic life in Mississippi. I would highly recommend it to any number of readers for any number of reasons.